BMES Board Spotlight: Cell Team

Meet the 2022-2023 Cell Team PMs! Rika (right) is a 3rd-year bioengineering major and Viên (left) is a 2nd-year bioengineering major!

How have you been involved with BMES?

Viên: I joined in my first year as a member of Cell Team as well! I really liked the tight-knit community we had, so I was happy to have the opportunity to be co-project manager with Rika this year. It’s been rewarding to work on improving and expanding the program!

Rika: I joined my second year as a member of Cell Team and a volunteer with the Community Outreach RISE team! This year, I’ve been lucky to be a co-project manager alongside Viên for Cell Team, leading a group of 14 undergraduate students. 

What are your primary responsibilities as cell team PMs this year?

Viên: Some of the things we do behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly include creating all the slideshows for modules, ordering and prepping the lab supplies, and coordinating module/lab times! We also write all of the protocols members use in the lab, and organize the Shadowing Program with professors. In the coming weeks, we’ll be working with members to design and execute the independent research project in Spring quarter. 

Rika: As a Cell Team PM, we’re in charge of leading modules and labs every week for our members to gain hands-on experience on introductory laboratory techniques! Some of these skills include micropipetting, BSC usage, and cell culture. Outside of these weekly meetings, we also host developmental programs such as the Cell Team Shadowing Program, one-on-one meetings for career planning, and informal discussions about research. In Spring quarter, we guide the students to design an independent research project from start to finish, culminating in a poster presentation and Tech Projects Demo Day. 

Favorite BMES memory?

Viên: My favorite BMES memory is definitely KBBQ night! I think it’s a great chance to spend time meeting more BMES members and I had a lot of fun both this year and last year. 
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Rika: This is a hard one! I think I’d have to go with the BioE Ball and Fall BBQ!


What do you enjoy most about being cell team PMs?

Viên: I really enjoy interacting with and learning about all of our amazing members! Our cohort this year is full of people who are dedicated and enthusiastic to learn about cells, and it’s been both rewarding and fun to get to teach them. 

Rika: I love the moments when our team members suddenly understand a concept or make STEM related jokes during our labs. It’s been so much fun watching everyone grow more confident in their lab skills and close-knit as a team!


If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

Viên: Definitely animation. I love the medium and I’ve spent many, many hours just trying to wrap my head around the basics! If I could become an animation expert instantly, I’d spend so much time working on random video projects.

Rika: If I could instantly become an expert in something, it’d be astronautics! I secretly dream of going to space one day ☆